HUENENBERG, Switzerland—Alcon’s (NYSE: ACL) consumer eyecare sales increased 7.8 percent (up 2.2 percent at constant currency rates) to $221.4 million in the second quarter.

In the period, the company’s sales of contact lens disinfectants grew 4.6 percent; sales of artificial tears products increased 17.9 percent.

Overall, Alcon’s global sales reached $1,735.2 million in the second quarter, an increase of 17.9 percent (up 11.2 percent at constant currency rates. Net earnings in Q2 increased 26.3 percent, to $566.4 million.

The company now expects its sales for the full year 2008 to be from $6,460 million to $6,510 million, an increase over previous projections.